Baby and Child Supplies
Where to start!
There are any number of places to get nappies, food, clothes and toys in the area. The best ‘one stop’places to get started are Target, Walmart and Babies ‘R’ Us or Toys ‘R’ Us. As you would expect most supplies are very similar but there are a few differences to be aware of – unlike the UK, supermarkets generally don’t do clothes or toys, nappies and clothes have slightly different sizings, and baby food tastes quite different too. More details in the separate sections
below.
There are any number of places to get nappies, food, clothes and toys in the area. The best ‘one stop’places to get started are Target, Walmart and Babies ‘R’ Us or Toys ‘R’ Us. As you would expect most supplies are very similar but there are a few differences to be aware of – unlike the UK, supermarkets generally don’t do clothes or toys, nappies and clothes have slightly different sizings, and baby food tastes quite different too. More details in the separate sections
below.
It is always checking the websites of the stores you plan to visit as they will often have coupons you can print out and take into the store. As
with all shopping in the US if you can find an outlet store it will be a fraction of the price!
with all shopping in the US if you can find an outlet store it will be a fraction of the price!
Nappies (diapers)
The sizes on nappies are not always equivalent to the British sizing so go by the weight category rather than the size.
Supermarkets and Pharmacies stock a limited range, but generally only in small pack sizes. Toys ‘r’ Us, Target, Walmart stock a larger range and have larger pack sizes making it a lot cheaper! Wholesalers such as Costco or Sam’s Club can be much cheaper as they do bulk packages (270 for about $40 rather than 30 for $12 in supermarkets).
For anything out of the ordinary, such as biodegradable/eco nappies or reusable ones a mail order website like Diapers.com , Costco, or Ecomom, is your best bet. Nature Babycare diapers are biodegradable, not just chlorinefree like many advertised as eco friendly and are recommended by several mumswho have used them.
Supermarkets and Pharmacies stock a limited range, but generally only in small pack sizes. Toys ‘r’ Us, Target, Walmart stock a larger range and have larger pack sizes making it a lot cheaper! Wholesalers such as Costco or Sam’s Club can be much cheaper as they do bulk packages (270 for about $40 rather than 30 for $12 in supermarkets).
For anything out of the ordinary, such as biodegradable/eco nappies or reusable ones a mail order website like Diapers.com , Costco, or Ecomom, is your best bet. Nature Babycare diapers are biodegradable, not just chlorinefree like many advertised as eco friendly and are recommended by several mumswho have used them.
Baby food and formula
The most common formulas are Similac and Enfamil. They come in soy, lactose free and toddler varieties. They are available from the same places as diapers (see above) If your baby is used to British formula and isn’t cooperating in changing to US ones then Boots do a delivery service to BFPO addresses. This can work out cheaper than buying formula in the US if you order a reasonable amount.
Baby food can be found in the same places as nappies and formula. The most common brand is Gerber but Earth’s Best (similar to Hipp in the UK) is an organic brand that many mums recommend. I have to say my daughter did not like jars or purees by Gerber and I thought they were far more bland than UK ones and eventually gave up on them, but I hadn’t tried the Earth’s Best range.
Limited ranges of Ella's and Plum baby food can be found in Giant, Whole Foods and Balduccis.
The most common formulas are Similac and Enfamil. They come in soy, lactose free and toddler varieties. They are available from the same places as diapers (see above) If your baby is used to British formula and isn’t cooperating in changing to US ones then Boots do a delivery service to BFPO addresses. This can work out cheaper than buying formula in the US if you order a reasonable amount.
Baby food can be found in the same places as nappies and formula. The most common brand is Gerber but Earth’s Best (similar to Hipp in the UK) is an organic brand that many mums recommend. I have to say my daughter did not like jars or purees by Gerber and I thought they were far more bland than UK ones and eventually gave up on them, but I hadn’t tried the Earth’s Best range.
Limited ranges of Ella's and Plum baby food can be found in Giant, Whole Foods and Balduccis.
Baby and toddler clothes
There are any number of shops to buy clothes in but some of the most reasonable are listed below.
Children’s Place Very bright, fun clothes, best for toddlers and up. You can get amazing bargins in store – they often don’t mark the final reduction so it is always worth getting a price check.
Target or Walmart are very similar in style and price to Primark or supermarket clothes.
Old Navy Cheap and cheerful casual clothes, better for toddlers than baby basics. Often does good offers.
Carters Very good for baby basics, they have lots of cheap and cheerful clothing sets.
Slightly more expensive but still reasonable.
Gap As in the UK but cheaper and better offers!
Gymboree Bright, fun clothes with matching accessories.
Quite expensive
Janie and Jack Very traditional rather than funky. Not cheap but do have a good sale rail.
Missing Home...
Next, Bootsand Mothercare will deliver clothing to a BFPO address, and Next have just started a US mail order site that can be found at www.nextdirect.com
Children’s Place Very bright, fun clothes, best for toddlers and up. You can get amazing bargins in store – they often don’t mark the final reduction so it is always worth getting a price check.
Target or Walmart are very similar in style and price to Primark or supermarket clothes.
Old Navy Cheap and cheerful casual clothes, better for toddlers than baby basics. Often does good offers.
Carters Very good for baby basics, they have lots of cheap and cheerful clothing sets.
Slightly more expensive but still reasonable.
Gap As in the UK but cheaper and better offers!
Gymboree Bright, fun clothes with matching accessories.
Quite expensive
Janie and Jack Very traditional rather than funky. Not cheap but do have a good sale rail.
Missing Home...
Next, Bootsand Mothercare will deliver clothing to a BFPO address, and Next have just started a US mail order site that can be found at www.nextdirect.com
Shoes
Shoes are found in most clothes stores.
Virginia: but if you want ‘proper’ shoes along the lines of Clarks then Stride Rite is the place to go.
Maryland is luckier; Clarks children's shoes are available at the following locations:
Clarks 1720 Annapolis Mall Westfield Annapolis, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: (410) 573-1027 ; Clarks 825 Dulaney Valley Road Towson Town Center Towson, MD 21204 Phone: (410) 296-1562(410) 296-1562 ; Clarks Bostonian Outlet 441 Outlet Center Drive, Prime Outlets - Queenstown, Queenstown, MD 21658 Phone: (410) 827-4457
Clarks Retail Partners: Vernon Powell 2401 East Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804
Virginia: but if you want ‘proper’ shoes along the lines of Clarks then Stride Rite is the place to go.
Maryland is luckier; Clarks children's shoes are available at the following locations:
Clarks 1720 Annapolis Mall Westfield Annapolis, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: (410) 573-1027 ; Clarks 825 Dulaney Valley Road Towson Town Center Towson, MD 21204 Phone: (410) 296-1562(410) 296-1562 ; Clarks Bostonian Outlet 441 Outlet Center Drive, Prime Outlets - Queenstown, Queenstown, MD 21658 Phone: (410) 827-4457
Clarks Retail Partners: Vernon Powell 2401 East Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804
Toys
Babies R’ us, Toys ‘R’ us, Target and Walmart stock the largest ranges and generally have the cheapest prices, although if you are looking for a large toy (eg $200-$300) and don’t mind using credit cards on the internet you can often find real bargins just by doing a google search and sifting through the first dozen or so sites to show up – there can be as much as $100 difference on the standard price. A lovely range of wooden toys is produced by Melissa and Doug.
Virginia : For slightly unusual toys/gifts then Kinder Haus in Arlington (story time Mon and Fri at 10.30am) Child’s Play at Lee Heights (story time at 10.30am) or Tree Tops Kids are good. Doodlehoppers in Falls Church has two shops next-door-but -one to each other. One for younger kids and babies and the other for older kids. Carousel toy shoppe in MClean is tiny but has a good range of toys. Childs Play in Mclean, is a lovely large airy shop with a great range of toys and friendly, relaxed staff.
Columbia: Smart Toys, Columbia Mall, Mumbles and Squeaks, Main Street, Ellicott City
Virginia : For slightly unusual toys/gifts then Kinder Haus in Arlington (story time Mon and Fri at 10.30am) Child’s Play at Lee Heights (story time at 10.30am) or Tree Tops Kids are good. Doodlehoppers in Falls Church has two shops next-door-but -one to each other. One for younger kids and babies and the other for older kids. Carousel toy shoppe in MClean is tiny but has a good range of toys. Childs Play in Mclean, is a lovely large airy shop with a great range of toys and friendly, relaxed staff.
Columbia: Smart Toys, Columbia Mall, Mumbles and Squeaks, Main Street, Ellicott City
